2 weeks Ago By Idowu Abdullahi
Idowu Abdullahi The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, has explained how a successor would be appointed for the late Medical Director of National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos, Dr Mustapha Alimi. Alimi assumed office as Medical Director eight years ago and died recently after a brief illness. He was due to retire in July 2025.
Speaking at the Fidau prayer, (a prayer often held on specific days after a death) at the hospital’s premises, the minister explained that the late helmsman created an enabling institution that made choosing his successor easy. The minister, however, said due diligence and merit would be given priority in choosing Alimi’s successor. He also explained that contributions from those who worked with the deceased MD would be considered in choosing another leader for the hospital.
“In the emergence of new CMD or MD for this hospital, we will ensure that due diligence is done, merit is given priority and we will also ensure the contribution of that enabling institution he (Alimi) established is taken because they are the ones on ground, and they understand, to a great extent, what is best for the hospital. “So, I believe that if we are able to go on this path, we will be able to find a very good successor who will uphold the legacy he is leaving behind,” Salako said. Speaking about Alimi’s contribution to the profession, the minister explained that the country has lost an important personality in the field of medicine.
“In my interactions with him, I could also feel his sense of duty. I could also feel his patriotism toward the country and his willingness to go the extra mile to ensure that things got done, to ensure that Nigeria’s health sector improved through this hospital and that Mr. President, Bola Tinubu’s agenda to reverse the trend of health tourism was achieved through this hospital.
“I think that if you look at what people have said today about him—from friends, childhood friends, those who grew up with him, his subordinates in the office, and the union leaders, the seniors in the profession—you can clearly see that we have lost a very, very important personality in the profession and in the country,” he said. Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, said Alimi served the country, the people, and his religion with utmost dedication. “He spent every single amount of money that he generated and every single budgetary allocation to the hospital judiciously.
We got maximum value for every naira spent. “I was fortunate to work with him as the Chairman of the Hospital Management Board here. In the last seven years, there has been significant infrastructure improvement in this hospital, and it was based on his hard work, his collaboration with his team, and his ability to work with his colleagues—the fellows, chief medical directors, and medical directors.
His dedication to excellence was remarkable,” Alausa said. Speaking on behalf of the Chief Medical Directors, the CMD of Federal Medical Centre, Ebutte-Metta, Lagos, Dr Adedamola Dada, said Alimi was a compassionate and diligent professional. He noted that the late medical director’s contributions were always useful among the committee of chief medical directors.
“Alimi was a very calm person, very honest, very committed, and very determined. It’s a big loss to Nigeria — there is no doubt about that. It’s a big loss to the orthopaedics community, it’s a big loss to the state, and it’s a big loss to the hospital.
“When we start talking about Alimi, we can be here almost indefinitely. He was a very meticulous person, a very compassionate person, and a very loyal friend. We will definitely miss his loyalty, we will miss his advice, and we will miss his goodness,” Dada said.
On his part, NOHIL’s Head of Clinical Services, Dr Lawal Olaide, described his deceased boss as “a remarkable leader”. He noted that the late medical director was deeply committed to training younger residents, helping them become specialists, and ensuring they excelled in various aspects of orthopaedics. “He also contributed greatly to staff welfare.
The staff were genuinely happy to have him around because he operated a supportive and inclusive work policy. He always listened to their concerns and was willing to address whatever issues they faced. That is why, at his funeral, you could hear what everyone had to say about him.
“He was a remarkable leader, and we at the National Orthopaedic Hospital will miss him dearly. Though he is gone, his legacy will remain in our hearts, and we will work to immortalise it,” Olaide said. Copyright PUNCH All rights reserved.
This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: [email protected] Tags #National Orthopaedic Hospital appointment of new CMD Hospital Management Board Iziaq Salako New Igbobi CMD.
